When ‘All Hallow’s’ was released as a seven-inch vinyl EP in 1999, AFI was in a transitional, but exciting phase. The Northern California group had released its fourth studio album, ‘Black Sails in the Sunset’ just a few months before to critical acclaim and was on the verge of breaking into much wider success with 2000’s ‘The Art of Drowning.’

Keeping with all that is spooky and scary as Halloween approaches, the 20th anniversary vinyl reissue of AFI’s cult-classic, ‘All Hallow’s E.P.’ comes out Oct. 25. Limited to 5,000 copies worldwide, the four-song EP is pressed on a 10-inch picture disc, featuring the original cover art by noted poster artist Alan Forbes on side A, and a pumpkin detail from the artwork on Side B.

Rock Music Menu: Misfits coming to Philly in December

Live Nation used the Flyers' mascot Gritty to hype the surprise Misfits show Dec. 14.

Photo courtesy of Live Nation

When ‘All Hallow’s’ was released as a seven-inch vinyl EP in 1999, AFI was in a transitional, but exciting phase. The Northern California group had released its fourth studio album, ‘Black Sails in the Sunset’ just a few months before to critical acclaim and was on the verge of breaking into much wider success with 2000’s ‘The Art of Drowning.’

Photo courtesy of Michael Christopher

Keeping with all that is spooky and scary as Halloween approaches, the 20th anniversary vinyl reissue of AFI’s cult-classic, ‘All Hallow’s E.P.’ comes out Oct. 25. Limited to 5,000 copies worldwide, the four-song EP is pressed on a 10-inch picture disc, featuring the original cover art by noted poster artist Alan Forbes on side A, and a pumpkin detail from the artwork on Side B.

Just in time for Halloween, the reunited Misfits have announced a surprise Philadelphia date at the Wells Fargo Center set for Dec. 14. Tickets for the show go on sale via Live Nation at 10 a.m. Oct. 25.

The announcement follows years of lawsuits, public infighting, a false ending and, perhaps most astoundingly, Flyers mascot Gritty.

The legendary horror punk outfit from the North Jersey town of Lodi hit the scene in 1977 and broke up a few years later in 1983, leaving classics in their wake like “Skulls,” “Die, Die My Darling” and “Astro Zombies.” Frontman Glenn Danzig went on to form the metal-tinged Samhain, morphing in 1987 to the bluesy hard rock of his eponymous act which has continued to present day.

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As the years went on, the Misfits experienced an unlikely surge in popularity as their soon-to-be iconic skull logo, lifted from the design of a mask worn by the villain in a forgotten 1946 sci-fi serial titled ‘The Crimson Ghost,’ started showing up on the t-shirts of the musicians up-and-coming heavy metal bands. Most notable of them were Metallica, who covered the Misfits “Last Caress” and “Green Hell” in a medley for their 1987 covers EP ‘Garage Days Re-Revisited.’

Come 1995, Misfits bassist Jerry Only decided to relaunch the group with his brother, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, who played guitar in a version of the band from 1980-1983. At the time, Danzig basically ignored the turn of events enjoying his thriving solo career and dismissed any talk of reunion of the Misfits with him involved. Danzig and Only had reached an agreement regarding songwriting and merchandising, but still went at it hard in the press, and the bad blood got worse over time.

Then, in 2014, Danzig filed a lawsuit against Only, who quickly countersued, over the Misfits trademark. Things got messy fast, but a settlement was proposed in the winter of that year which would have included some sort of live reunion and new album with the pair under the band’s name. Talks fell apart and the two continued fighting it out in the courts.

The lawsuits between the two dismissed on the same day a settlement was reached in May, 2016. As part of the agreement, a minimum of 10 shows would be performed under the banner “The Original Misfits” with Danzig and Only splitting the monies 50/50 and anyone else playing with them salaried employees, including Doyle.

Things moved fast, as it was announced headliners for the respective final nights of the September 2016 Riot Fest three-day events in Denver and Chicago would be the Misfits with Doyle on guitar, ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo on drums and Acey Slade on rhythm guitar. Two more shows took place the following December – both out West – with a long-awaited return to New Jersey at the Prudential Center in Newark in May of last year. Seven more took place this year, with Danzig saying on the red carpet to Rob Zombie’s latest movie ‘3 from Hell’ last month, "No more Misfits shows except for MSG."

The “MSG” in question was a triumphant, sold-out performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden this past Saturday. Those in attendance considered it their last chance to catch the band – ever – based on the singer’s offhanded comment.

Monday afternoon though, at precisely 1:38 – a nod to the Misfits song “We Are 138” – Live Nation Philadelphia blasted out a brief video via their social media platforms with Gritty’s face done up like the Crimson Ghost skull while the band’s “Static Age” played in the background and 12.14.19 flashed on the screen. Assuming no other shows are booked between now and then, it will mark the 13th of the reunion, which would be the best possible number for the Misfits in this incarnation to end.

VINYL OF THE WEEK

Keep an eye on this spot as each week we’ll be looking at new or soon-to-be-released vinyl from a variety of artists. It might be a re-pressing of a landmark recording, special edition or new collection from a legendary artist. This week, it’s a Halloween EP from one of the Bay Area’s most popular punk rock acts.

AFI: ‘ALL HALLOWS E.P.’

Keeping with all that is spooky and scary as Halloween approaches, the 20th anniversary vinyl reissue of AFI’s cult-classic, ‘All Hallow’s E.P.’ comes out Oct. 25. Limited to 5,000 copies worldwide, the four-song EP is pressed on a 10-inch picture disc, featuring the original cover art by noted poster artist Alan Forbes on side A, and a pumpkin detail from the artwork on Side B.

When ‘All Hallow’s’ was released as a seven-inch vinyl EP in 1999, AFI was in a transitional, but exciting phase. The Northern California group had released its fourth studio album, ‘Black Sails in the Sunset’ just a few months before to critical acclaim and was on the verge of breaking into much wider success with 2000’s ‘The Art of Drowning.’

As the title might convey, ‘All Hallow’s’ finds the band exploring goth and horror punk genres. The EP’s four songs are filled with complex rhythm changes, anthemic chanting and plenty of darkly atmospheric sound effects. In addition to an impressive cover of The Misfits’ seasonal classic “Halloween,” highlights also include “The Boy Who Destroyed the World,” which would become an iconic track for the band, and be included in the popular 2001 video game, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3. The only single form the EP, “Totalimmortal,” gained more notice after it was covered by The Offspring the next year for the soundtrack to the Jim Carrey vehicle, ‘Me, Myself and Irene.’

Find the ‘All Hallow’s E.P.’ online and in stores from all respectable retailers who carry vinyl.